DETROIT | General Motors has realigned its government relations and public policy team with the appointment of John T. Montford as a senior adviser to GM Chairman and CEO Edward E. Whitacre Jr. and Robert E. Ferguson as vice president of government relations.

Ken W. Cole, currently the vice president of government relations and public policy, who joined GM in 2001, will remain with the company for the next several months as an adviser until his retirement later this year. Mr. Montford will have overall responsibility for government relations and global public policy, and will be supported by Mr. Ferguson and Michael J. Robinson, the current vice president of environment, energy and safety policy.

The appointments of Mr. Montford and Mr. Ferguson were effective Jan. 1.

“John and Bob are proven professionals, who have worked in an environment of intense regulatory and political complexity,” said Mr. Whitacre. “I’ve worked with both through a number of issues over the past several years, and they have my deep trust and respect. We thank Ken Cole for his years of service at GM and will continue to draw on his expertise over the coming months.”